Sweet Leda: Sound, Soul, Awesome
I was first handed a CD by Stephen Antonelli of Pop Mark Media when I was interviewing another artist at Catonsville's Studio Unknown a few weeks back. Since then my ears and I have been thrilled to find something we have long been searching for; an album that plays through and through, over and over without any real sign of wearing out.
The album was “Need The Music” by Annapolis area band Sweet Leda. The opening track gave me goosebumps when frontwoman Julie Cymek belted out the first bone-chillingly soulful lyric. The entire album she provides a searing voice that sounds like it was forged in a brass factory and dipped in buttermilk. Backing up the voice is one of the tightest bands in Maryland. Jaime Horrigan (Bass), Omar El Dieahy (Guitar), and Don Boyette (Drums) are the foundation that makes this group entertaining both artistically and technically.
I recently caught a performance by Sweet Leda at The Party Block in Ocean City and the live performance was as good as the album. The highlight was a beatbox rendition of Roberta Flack's “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” Julie used her spot on tone and inflection over Jaime Harrigan's bassy beatbox to wow the standing room only crowd. Chills and goosebumps were more prevalent than cheers and applause when the song was finished. Sweet Leda can sweeten my tea anytime.
MU: Who influences your style? What where your favorite vocalists/ musicians when you where coming up?
SL: I come from an a cappella background. I sang in lots of choirs in high school and college. Don't know for sure who my influences are, but I'm guessing Joss Stone, Erykah Badu, and subconsciously Janis Joplin. I say subconsciously because I rarely listen to her stuff.
Jaime is heavily influenced by groove stuff; Don and Omar grew up on more rock stuff, including 80s. Jaime never got into that 80s stuff.
Mu: How has being an Annapolis band shaped the sound and style of your music?
SL: Annapolis is an amazingly supportive scene; bands care about each other, and want to see each other doing well. We all work together, and it's so much more fun that way! When we play other states, I see that their scene isn't as loving as ours. playing in Annapolis has helped us to meet so many great local musicians. Now, half of the time that I play music in the car, it's local music. whenever we have a night off, we are out supporting a local band. I'd much rather go to a local, small show than see a big-time national act. There is SO much terrific local music out there, and Annapolis has taught me how special it is. I'd say Annapolis musicians have helped us to improve our stage show, rather than our music. We constantly see other locals perform. when I see a performer do something great on stage, I take notes! I try to make note of what I want to be like when I'm on stage.
MU: What's in store for fans of Sweet Leda in the next few years? Tours? Festivals?
SL: 2011 was busy! We released our first full album. We were named MD/DC Band of the Year by Tri State Indie, and voted DC/Baltimore Best Emerging Artist of 2011 by Deli Magazine's Readers' Poll. We also recorded a track called "Lovely Molly" for the film “Lovely Molly” the latest from Haxan Films (Blair Witch Project) and producer Mark Ordesky (Lord of the Rings). On August 11th we are playing Silopanna, which is a HUGE event! We want to focus on getting some new videos that accurately portray our live energy. We have started to travel, and definitely wish to continue!
Photo By Angela Noblett Courtesy of Sweet Leda
Photos and Story by Josh Rudderforth
